What do you like to do?
New members are always welcome in all groups. We meet at the historic Lindenwood School building at 12351 N. Granville Road in Mequon, WI. Membership dues are a bargain compared to most youth sports organizations, and performing members pay a refundable deposit for their tracht (performing attire).
Let's Dance!
Our
Lütten group meets every Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Directors Megan and Johann Hinck, along with Jamie Heberer and Jack
Chevremont, lead the children in games, as well as teaching
them simple dances and German songs. The children have the opportunity to
perform a few times a year, where they proudly demonstrate what they've
learned. Anyone from age 4 through 8 is welcome, and we especially would
like to have more boys join the group. Membership dues are $45.00/year, and tracht deposit is $30.00.
The
Backfische youngsters practice every Tuesday evening from 6:30 to
7:30 p.m. The 9- through 13-year- olds, under the direction of Katie Carmody
and Emily Larscheidt, learn more complicated dance steps and choreography. Participating
in this group helps these young folks develop poise and confidence by
dancing at several public performances throughout the year, including
Milwaukee Germanfest in July and the International Institute's Holiday Folk
Fair in November. The vigorous rehearsals also build stamina and
coordination that benefits these children in sports and other activities. As
with the Lütten group, there always seems to be more girls on the dance
floor, so boys are especially encouraged to join. Annual dues for Backfische
are $55.00, and tracht deposit is $30.00.
The
Jugend and Erwachsenen meet Tuesdays, and
rehearse from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. The Jugend are 14 through 20 years old, and
ages 21 and up make up Erwachsenen. These groups rehearse under the
direction of Craig Tews, and perform together at numerous venues around
Wisconsin and the Midwest. See our "Performance Schedule" page for a current
list of performances. Anyone 14 and over is welcome to join this group, and
the only requirement is that you keep up with us! Our rehearsals and
performances are quite strenuous, and anyone considering joining us should
be in good health and very fit. Annual dues are $65.00, and tracht deposit is
$100.00.
Make Some Beautiful Music!
Pommersche
Späldeel is our group of talented music makers. Annual dues are
$65.00, and tracht deposit is $100.00. Our musicians provide the lively
tunes we dance to, and with our vocalists also present a number of
performances each year both with and without the dancers. The musicians
attend regular rehearsals with Jugend/ Erwachsenen, as well as music-only
rehearsals including vocalists as needed. Our music director is George
Radtke, who is also the group's president. Besides offering live
performances, Pommersche Späldeel has released a collection of favorite
music and songs from our Pomeranian heritage,
Sie Haben die Musik Nicht
Vergessen. This is available in both CD and cassette tape. We
have also recently released a CD of traditional Christmas music,
Weihnachtlich
glänzet der Wald.
Help wanted
If
you'd like to be a part of this group but getting up in front of an audience
isn't what you're looking for, there are also many behind-the-scenes
opportunities to get involved:
Each of our groups needs at least one trachtenwart ("wardrobe mistress"
would be the closest translation) to oversee the outfitting of performing
members, as well as to attend performances to assure that everyone is
properly dressed, and to have on hand a sewing kit and safety pins for
last-minute emergencies.
As
our youngsters outgrow or wear out clothing articles, or new members get
ready to perform, there are always projects for people who enjoy sewing.
For many of our performances it's necessary for us to set up our own sound
system, and occasionally even our own dancefloor, which means we need help
toting, lifting, plugging in, and eventually taking it all down again, as
well as running the sound board during the show. Think of it as your chance
to be a "roadie" for the band.
What sounds good to you?
If something here sounds like your cup of tea, contact us to learn more about becoming a part of our group. Many of our members have expressed the opinion that Pommersche Tanzdeel Freistadt is more like family than simply an organization or club. Some of our Erwachsenen have been with us since they were Lütten. Come on and join the fun!